Lexus RX350L

A seven-seater mid-sized crossover was a gap which Lexus needed to fill. A gap where the brand was losing ground to a host of luxury and standard vehicle suppliers.

For Lexus, the answer was simple: take a conventional two row model, add about four and a half inches, stretch the rear window line and add two electrically-folding-at-the-pushof-a-button seats.

Those spending upwards of $100,000 on a crossover probably aren’t going to have the need to use seven seats, which is just as well. If you’re going to have seven seats, wouldn’t you make the seats suitable for people rather than bone-free Muppets?

Never mind that any child banished to ‘the naughty seats’ is going to reward you really well by getting carsick because they have a window smaller than an ipad to look out of.

The idea of a normal-sized adult getting through the unforgiving rear door with the sloping roof line to the rearmost seats?

No, just no.

The second-row seats do offer some serious rear squab versatility with brilliant lean angles to ensure your second seat passengers are going to enjoy a very relaxing trip. And yes, there are charge ports there for those essential items needed on long road trips.

No one has a lousy seat in the second row of the Lexus, with the lack of a transmission tunnel affording good leg-space. Even with all three seats occupied, there’s space back there for everyone.

And behind them of course, is a huge amount of cargo space that is generous to the nth degree and secure too with the cargo blind that’s tucked away in the underfloor cubby.

But how well does it do up the front?

Well, you’ve got a big powerplant under that reverse scalloped bonnet and behind the signature – if not universally appreciated ‘spindle’ grille. The powerplant is a V6 3.5-litre petrol, which redefines smoothness in terms of power delivery. It’s an engine which Lexus really knows how to build and the seat sins of the RX350L could be forgiven thanks to that engine alone.

Just don’t pay too much attention to the fuel readout. Lexus claim is somewhat optimistic, and I don’t think I saw 10 point anything once. 11’s and 12’s yes, but 10’s?

Not so much.

All four wheels are driven through the eight-speed transmission with its faux manual Sports mode. Why the Sport mode is there, I can’t fathom; this is an SUV to transport you fuss-lessly and comfortably from one place to another, not one to challenge a boy racer, sorry, young enthusiast.

You are spoilt for texture and quality interior ornamentation though. The selection of stitched leather, genuine rich timber and wood with metal inlays combine to make the cabin as luxurious as possible with carefully positioned switchgear designed to amplify the feeling of space.

There is a noticeable absence of Apple Carplay and Android auto connectivity though, which is odd considering the amazingly good 12.5-inch touchscreen which offers massive amounts of information that can be seen via satellite through the sunroof.

Accessing some of the functions is via a rodentlike device which sits atop the centre console. This is a fiddly thing which impresses at first with its novelty, but the novelty wears off after a few hours driving and being frustrated with its inaccuracy.

I want to say good things about the Lexus RX350L. And I can sing the praises of its overall shape, the sumptuousness of the front cabin, the comfort level of the seats, the creamy power delivery and general state of relaxed driving this vehicle imbues in a driver. But…